National News

Scott Morrison refusing to cement ministry

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is determined to drive home his re-election campaign on the foundation of affordable housing.

Mr Morrison visited two more half-built properties on Wednesday to cement his pitch on first home deposits.

"What we're talking about here standing on this ground, is the aspirations of Australia," he told reporters in the marginal Victorian seat of Corangamite.

Mr Morrison drilled in the message again when he travelled to the north eastern electorate of Indi, held by retiring independent Cathy McGowan.

"This is what I do for all first home buyers now," the prime minister joked, as he helped a young Wangaratta couple cut the ribbon on their new house.

But while the prime minister is promising the core members of his team will remain if he is returned to power this Saturday, he is refusing to say who will take on several key portfolios.

Mr Morrison said his clutch of national security and economic ministers will remain in their positions.

"These are the critical portfolios that sit at the central agencies of government," he told reporters.

"What Australians need to know is in the key portfolios."

The coalition's health and education ministers will also stay on.

But the prime minister would not be drawn on who would replace outgoing industrial relations and women's minister Kelly O'Dwyer when she retires at the election.

Nor would he comment on who will take on the indigenous affairs portfolio, despite suggesting indigenous youth suicide would be one of his key focuses if he wins on Saturday.

"The thing that focuses my mind most, when it comes to indigenous issues, is I want young girls to stop killing themselves in regional, remote communities," Mr Morrison said.

"I can't tell you a more important indigenous policy issue than that.

"It grieves my soul that young girls are killing themselves in remote indigenous communities and I will do everything I can to stop that."

Mr Morrison was also forced to shake off accusations of blatant pork-barrelling, as he tries to save junior minister Sarah Henderson from political oblivion.

The prime minister is promising to spend billions of dollars in Corangamite, which is notionally in Labor hands following a redistribution.

Voters there are being offered the equivalent of $26,500 each in election sweeteners.

"This is a growth part of our country and you've got to invest in the infrastructure and services to support it," he told reporters in Geelong.

"We make no apology for the fact we're investing in the future of this region, absolutely none."

Before wrapping up his day with an address to members of Sydney's Chinese community, he talked up the apparent risk of voting for Labor, against the backdrop of an escalating trade war between Beijing and Washington.

"That's why I say to the Australians - now is not the time to risk experiments," he said.

"Now is the time not to turn back, now is the time to ensure we maintain responsible, careful management of our economy, to keep it growing.

"Now is the time to ensure we remain a firm hand and a steady hand when it comes to Australia's national security interests."